Created a new abstention doctrine, under which federal courts in a diversity jurisdiction can let state courts hear cases under certain circumstances. Decided May 24, 1943 (argued 1943). Opinion of the Court: Hugo Black → go there Dissenting: Frankfurter. Topic: Other. Burford v. Sun Oil Co., 319 U.S. 315 (1943), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court created a new doctrine of abstention. Wiki link